KATZ (AM): ANALOG VS. DIGITAL

This is the station in St. Louis that blasphemes God by broadcasting a Christian format (Urban Gospel) and being owned by a secular, anti-Christian, illegal (under federal anti-trust laws) and unconstitutional radio monopoly (Clear Channel). Unfortunately, this station has gone low-definition digital; giving it a far inferior quality signal than competitor KSTL (690 AM), which broadcasts in high-definition (and spectrally efficient) AM Stereo. Given their high position on the AM dial, KATZ’s signal is somewhat weaker in areas like Hazelwood or Creve Coeur. In addition, the damage isn’t as bad at 18 miles from their Madison, IL transmitter site.

Frequency Before KATZ converted to digital After KATZ converted to digital

1570 kHz WBGZ Alton, IL (local-like signal) WBGZ Alton, IL (Good signal)*

1580 kHz WBBA Pittsfield, IL (Fair signal) Wiped out by KATZ (AM) digital sidebands

1590 kHz WAIK Galesburg, IL (Good to fair signal) Wiped out by KATZ (AM) digital sidebands

1600 kHz Center channel Center channel

1610 kHz Wiped out by KATZ (AM) analog sidebands Wiped out by KATZ (AM) digital sidebands

1620 kHz Clear Wiped out by KATZ (AM) digital sidebands

1630 kHz KCJJ Iowa City, IA (Weak signal) KCJJ Iowa City, IA (Weak signal, digital interference from KATZ)

An asterisk (*) denotes that WBGZ, a News/Talk station in Alton, IL on 1570 kHz, suffers from interference from KATZ-AM’s digital sidebands south of Interstate 270 in Madison and St. Clair Counties in Illinois. The signal is significantly weaker between State Road 111 and the Chain or Rocks Bridge due to these digital sidebands. Before KATZ (AM) went digital, WBGZ had a local-like signal in these areas.